Myrnin, for one, had never particularly cared about the rain. He was intelligent enough to run when it brought the draug, and cared little about it when it did not. This remained true through several centuries of his life. That is, it remained true until he met Claire.
Now, Myrnin was one who adored the rain. It always relaxed his little Claire. He loved the way she would curl up on that chair she loved so much (he would never tell her it had been his favorite first) and insist that she was just going to read for a little while, even when she had other work to do. He loved the way Claire's heartbeat would slow as she relaxed, the way she would take a moment longer to open her eyes after every blink. Most of all Myrnin loved the moment her breath evened out in pattern with the falling rain, because he knew for sure she was asleep. It would be in that moment he would remove the book from her loose grip, cover her in the softest blanket he could find, and admire her beauty without worrying she may catch his stare.
So, of course, when the mobile phone Claire had insisted he have at all times told him it was supposed to rain that day, he was thrilled. Being that Morganville was, in fact, situated in Texas it did not rain often. And when it did it was often through the nights after Claire had left him and returned to her home in the Glass house. But, it was supposed to rain while she was at the lab today and Myrnin could hardly be more excited. He loved that she could relax so completely in his presence even if it was just because of the rain. Only she trusted him that much.
He spent the day preparing for the rain. He moved a pile of books nearer to the center of the lab. If Claire was going to read she may as well read something of use and he presumed she'd be more likely to choose from the top of a pile that she had to keep walking by. Delicately he placed a book on alchemy at the top, one that, if she read, would make her much more helpful in his newest experiment. Claire did so love to help. He moved Claire's chair to a corner so he'd be able to see it no matter where he was, though if she asked why it had been moved he would only tell her it had been in his way. He could hardly admit his love for her to himself, he certainly couldn't admit it to her.
Myrnin heard Claire coming before she so much as made it to the entrance to the alleyway. He hurried to make himself look busy, throwing a slide under a microscope and staring down into it. He made it look as though he hadn't been awaiting her arrival quite so eagerly.
"You're late," he stated as she reached the last step. He wasn't sure she actually was, but it was something to say. He turned to look at her and saw her falter and look down at the time on her phone.
"No, I'm not," Claire protested. "It's only five now!" She held the phone up as if to show him she was right. Myrnin simply shrugged and turned back to the microscope. He heard her exasperated sigh and, from the corner of his eye, could see her run her hand over her face. A small smile tugged at his lips before he forced himself back into a more neutral expression. Her actions weren't that adorable. Except that they were. And she could not know that he was thinking such things.
She stepped closer to him, peering over his shoulder. "So, what are we doing today?" She asked, still glancing over his shoulder in an attempt to see what was under the microscope. He had to mentally restrain himself from turning around and pressing his lips to hers. She was standing so close to him. Too close, perhaps, seeing as he could simply turn and catch her lips without so much as having to lean forward.
He realized with sudden clarity that he was staring at a blank slide and pushed the microscope away before she could notice. He spun around, clapping his hands together. His mind reeled trying to think of something to occupy the time before the rain started, but came up entirely blank.
"Well, you read. I'm going to work on… other things," he finally said, with a noncommittal shrug.
"Oh come on, isn't there anything I can help with?" Claire asked.
"Yes, you can help by reading." Myrnin led her over to the pile of books, and placed one in her hands, "you're of no use in this if you don't understand."
"Hey! I don't even know what 'this' is," Claire protested.
Myrnin shot her a wicked grin. "And you don't get to until you finish reading." Claire groaned and rolled her eyes at him, but still plopped herself down in her chair, and opened the book. Myrnin was happy she didn't push him because the truth was, he had no idea what his next experiment was going to be either. He just figured alchemy was a good thing for Claire to have more knowledge about. He was also happy Claire didn't ask about the placement of her chair because he realized she wouldn't have believed his story for even a moment.
She settled into her reading quickly, as Myrnin did his best to keep busy before the rain. Occasionally she would pause to ask for clarification about something. Myrnin loved when she did that for two reasons. The first simply being that it meant he got to stand closer to her than usually allowed, to read the book over her shoulder. The second because it made him feel good to know that she needed him. Even if it was often just as a translator. He really thought Claire ought to learn Latin, but enough of him liked that she needed his help too much to sit down and teach her.
About an hour went by when Myrnin suddenly heard the first drop hit. He did his best to contain his excitement at what was to come. Sad, he thought, that such a natural occurrence could bring him such joy simply because Claire would fall asleep. Just minutes after he heard the first drop the rain really started to fall. Claire heard it too, evidently. Her head snapped up to stare at the ceiling for a brief moment. Myrnin couldn't help the smile that tugged on his lips and turned so she wouldn't see it. He placed a new slide under the microscope, one that actually had something on it, and stared down into it. There was a thunder clap, and he heard Claire's book fall.
"Are you alright, Claire?" Myrnin asked, startled. Her heart was beating erratically and he was certain he could have smelled the adrenaline from across the galaxies. He turned to face her and noticed she had gone incredibly pale.
"I… Yeah. Fine," Claire said, and Myrnin realized he'd never in his life met a worse liar. "Sorry. Can I just go home, if you really don't have anything else for me to do?" Her voice was trembling, and she bent down to pick the book up off the floor. Myrnin felt a flash of pain, both because he couldn't understand what was wrong and because Claire had asked to leave. To leave him.
"I suppose if you really feel you must," Myrnin said, perhaps too quietly. Perhaps showing his hurt feelings too much.
"I'm sorry," Claire said. And the worst part was that he could tell she meant it. He just couldn't understand why.
Myrnin walked over to her slowly, preparing to open a portal. The rain started pouring down more heavily and Claire grabbed onto Myrnin's arm as he passed by. Myrnin's gaze snapped to hers, but she wasn't really looking at him. She was just staring off into the distance looking as though she'd been petrified. It took immense amounts of effort to control the part of himself that was honing in on her weakness and fear and to focus on helping her, and on figuring out why she was so afraid.
"Claire, honestly," Myrnin said. She turned to face him slightly, "are you alright?"
"It's nothing, really. It's stupid," Claire mumbled, looking down. She still didn't let go of Myrnin's arm.
"Claire," Myrnin gently pushed her back into her chair, kneeling down in front of her. "Please tell me. Whatever is bothering you, I won't think it's stupid." Another clap of thunder and Claire practically threw herself into Myrnin's lap. She wrapped both her arms around his shoulders, hugging him tightly. More like clinging to him. Slowly his arms wrapped around her. Her whole body was trembling and she was taking in short, shuddering breaths.
"Claire?" Myrnin whispered, "Are you frightened by the storm?"
"I told you it was stupid," Claire sniffled, her face still pressing into his shoulder. Absently Myrnin ran his fingers through her hair, a very human movement that would have surprised him had he been paying attention.
"Why? You've always seemed to love the rain." Myrnin couldn't help the confusion that seeped into his voice. It was true though. She had even told him once before that she loved storms. He knew she found them relaxing. And she had to have known he knew that.
"I keep-" Claire broke to sniffle again and pulled away from him to wipe at her eyes. Myrnin shuddered at the loss of her touch. "I keep expecting the draug." She turned her gaze to the floor again. "I know they're long gone, and can't hurt me anymore or whatever. But I can't help it. I know it's stupid. I'm sorry, I can just go home." She was babbling Myrnin noticed. But he didn't think she was being stupid. In fact, he thought he had been stupid for not having thought about the draug earlier. She'd been killed by them, not that he had forgotten seeing her body lying on the floor, or not being sure he could save her. But to not think that she would likely not enjoy the rain anymore? Even with the draug long gone, he knew he was the stupid one. "I don't need to throw this on you," Claire said, and Myrnin focused back in on her words. She was still babbling.
"I'm scared of the dark," Myrnin suddenly blurted barely above a whisper, which surprised him. He hadn't even realized he'd thought of it.
Claire paused. "What?" she asked, finally meeting his eye.
Myrnin shrugged and decided it was best to just continue the thought, "I always have been, and even now as ridiculous as it seems I find that I cannot stand the suffocating nothingness that the dark brings." He pulled in a breath he didn't necessarily need. "So, I suppose if you'd like to compare stupid fears." He stood, and Claire did as well.
"It's not stupid, Myrnin. It's not stupid to be afraid of the dark, most people are," Claire said quietly, placing her hand back on his arm. This was different though. More like she was comforting him, than seeking comfort.
Myrnin smiled down at her. "Nor is it stupid to be afraid of the rain, my dear." The storm outside hadn't stopped, and the next rumble of thunder had Myrnin wrapping his arms around Claire before the sound even had the chance to hit her ears. "But I won't let anything happen to you," he whispered over the sound.
Claire pressed her face into his shoulder again though she wasn't crying anymore. Then suddenly she giggled softly, "the vampire who was afraid of the dark. It would make a good story book."
Myrnin smiled slightly, reveling in the fact that even with as much as she was trembling, and even with the amount of adrenaline coursing through her small body she could still laugh. Then he took her hand and led her over to the couch. He sat pulling her with him. Her breath hitched slightly, but then she curled against him, her head on his chest. He wanted to kiss her so desperately but knew her actions were purely platonic. He had one arm wrapped around her shoulders, the other still holding her hand.
She squeezed his hand lightly, and he returned the pressure. He brought her hand to his mouth, gently pressing his lips to her knuckles. He felt her shiver and wanted so much more.
"I'm sorry, you really shouldn't have to comfort me like this," Claire said around a yawn.
"Friends help each other. Are we not friends Claire?" Myrnin asked. Worry coursed through him that she would say he was nothing more than her boss. But she had called him her friend before, he knew she had. And she had helped him, comforted him more than her fair share. What kind of friend was he if he didn't help when she was scared?
"Myrnin, you're my best friend," Claire whispered in response and he could hear the promise in her voice. She squeezed his hand again, and he hugged her just a little tighter. Neither said anything again. They just remained together on the couch while the storm raged on, Myrnin's arms protectively around Claire.
Not quite an hour later the rain was quieting, and he figured Claire could tell that too, but neither of them made an effort to move from where they sat on the couch. Claire's breathing had slowed to normal, and the overpowering smell of adrenaline only just barely lingered in the lab. Claire shifted slightly, leaning somehow even closer into Myrnin. The smell of her washed over him again. Like roses just out of a rainstorm. Ironic, really. He was surprised to find he only just barely had to suppress the urge to bite her.
Claire squeezed his hand again, and once more he returned the pressure. Moments later Claire had fallen asleep, nestled against Myrnin. He shifted slightly so he was lying back with her still curled on his chest, his arms still wrapped around her. He planted a soft kiss, perhaps reserved for someone more than just a best friend, on top of her forehead. Then, despite how unusual it was for him, he closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep himself to the sounds of Claire's breathing and the final moments of the rain storm.
Thank you for reading the first chapter of 'My Favorite Thing!' Please, please, please review! I'd really appreciate it! Of course, only the plot belongs to me, everything else belongs to Rachel Caine. Again, please leave a review! And if you liked this, go check out some of my other work! (I promise there's more Clyrnin there!)